Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
A town of 194, settled in 1880.
Helix’s average trip to work is 35 minutes, above both the Oregon town median (23 minutes) and the median of U.S. towns (25 minutes). Only 2 of the 143 Oregon towns we compare have a lower share of adults with a bachelor’s degree than Helix. Helix has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Census counts: 109 in 1910, 194 in 2020. The archive holds 5 old photos and papers going back to 2004 and 3 maps from 1935 on.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Helix, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Oct 2, 2026.
Ordered by what stands out in Helix.
Most working residents leave Helix for work: only 0% work in town. The top destinations are Pendleton (55%), Umatilla (4%) and Hermiston (4%). Half commute less than 15 miles.
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Helix has mild winters and warm summers, with very little rain. Helix’s July high is 87°F, where Oregon’s towns sit at 82°F and U.S. towns at 85°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Helix beats the Oregon average on 1 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 1. 29% of adults have high blood pressure in Helix. Among 143 Oregon towns, just 9 have a higher share of adults who binge drink than Helix.
| Helix | Oregon towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 33% | 35% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 15% | 16% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 73% | 72% | 79% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 18% | 17% |
| What stands out | Helix | OR |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 7.8% | 8.9% |
| Fewer adults screened for colon cancer | 56.7% | 63.4% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 54% of U.S. communities. One flood insurance claim has been paid in Helix since 1994.
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
The median rent in Helix is $818 a month. Among 143 Oregon towns, just 10 have a higher share of households owning their home than Helix.
| Helix | Oregon towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 89% | 65% | 73% |
| Median rent | $818 a month | $1,414 a month | $1,185 a month |
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Helix Park | — | 2 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Helix. Close and well known come first.
16 mi National Historic SiteWhitman Mission National Historic Site54K visitors a year
19 mi Canyon & gorgeWallula Gap
14 mi MuseumTamástslikt Cultural Institute27 mi GardenOregon Trail ArboretumWhitman Mission National Historic Site: National Park Service, Public domain · Wallula Gap: Williamborg, Public domain · Tamástslikt Cultural Institute: Decumanus at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
1 within 15 miles of the center of Helix
About 2 of every 100 Helix residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Oregon.
Where Helix’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
City in Oregon, United States
Helix is a city in Umatilla County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2020 census, Helix had a population of 194. It is part of the Pendleton–Hermiston Micropolitan Statistical Area.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Helix has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
